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THE
LATE AL PALLADINI HONOURED AND Dedication
ceremony held to rename the West Vaughan Community
Centre VAUGHAN, ON, JUNE 9, 2001 – The sudden death of Al Palladini in March of this year sparked an enormous outpouring of shock and grief throughout the province. Nowhere was it more pronounced than in the City of Vaughan, where Al made his home. In a Vaughan Council meeting shortly after the news was received, the testimonials were very personal and poignant. In Vaughan he was much more than the local MPP. Here he was a friend and neighbour, someone who could be trusted and relied upon for support and encouragement, someone who was respected and admired as an active community member, and someone from whom you could get a good deal on a car. “As soon as we heard the news, Council knew we had to make some statement to the world that would show our esteem and our deep grief,” said Vaughan Mayor Lorna Jackson. “During the next few days we discussed various ideas. On March 19th, Vaughan Council voted unanimously to rename the West Vaughan Community Centre as the Al Palladini Community Centre, in memory of Al. It was a fitting choice. The Community Centre was Al’s back yard. It was his neighbourhood. As he was always so supportive of youth, community and sports activities, it’s great to think that now, whenever anyone goes to the Community Centre to enjoy themselves, they will see Al’s name.” At the emotionally charged ceremony today, Vaughan Council rolled out the red carpet to officially dedicate the West Vaughan Community Centre to the late Al Palladini, renaming it the Al Palladini Community Centre. The Vaughan community joined members of the Palladini family and friends to hear officials and dignitaries from all levels of government share their thoughts and memories of Al and to watch the unveiling of the bronze plaque and new Community Centre sign. The ceremony was officiated by Vaughan City Manager Scott Somerville, who introduced the following special guest speakers: the Honourable David H. Tsubouchi, MPP, and Chair, Management Board of Cabinet, Mr. Maurizio Bevilacqua, MP, Ms. Tina Molinari, MPP, Regional Chair Bill Fisch, Mayor Lorna Jackson and Members of Vaughan Council. In spite of the solemnity of the occasion, the event had an air of celebration. Vaughan City Manager Scott Somerville summed it up, “He was one of us. He will be remembered here.”
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